Capital Nature

Bird Walk at Kingman
2026-04-04 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Kingman and Heritage Islands Park, 575 Oklahoma Ave NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join DC Bird Alliance for a relaxed, guided bird walk on Kingman Island. We’ll move at an easy pace, pause often to observe birds, and explore the island’s unique habitats together. This walk is open to all experience levels. Bring binoculars if you have them (we have a few to spare), curiosity if you don’t, and enjoy time outdoors noticing birds and nature in community.

Beauty of Bluebells Walk
2026-04-04 07:00 - 09:30, 2026-04-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA, 20121, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Experience the magic and wonder of the Bluebell Trail in its full glory! Take a relaxing stroll on Bull Run Regional Park’s most famous trail while being enveloped by a sea of blue. Learn about spring ephemeral plants such as the Virginia Bluebell and why these fleeting flowers bloom for such a short time. Ages 8+

Full Moon Friday
2026-04-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD, 20817, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us for the magic of the full moon for a hike and campfire on each Friday nearest to the full moon. Feel free to bring your own hotdogs to warm over the fire and we’ll provide marshmallows. The program will be mainly outdoors with a hiking component. All hikes will be on natural surface trails.

Youth Mountain Bike Ride
2026-04-03 17:00 - 19:00 | Wheaton Regional Park, 2000 Shorefield Road, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) This is a no rider left behind group ride – think “party pace. ”There will likely be some “session-ing” and skills instruction along the way. This is a perfect way to meet other riders and build skills on your bike. We have a limited number of bikes and helmets available free of charge in case you don’t have one (we will ask to hold something as collateral during the program – cell phone/credit card/etc.). Ages 6+ Must know how to ride a bicycle.

Beginner Birding at Occoquan Bay
2026-04-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 14050 Dawson Beach Rd, Woodbridge, VA, 22191, United States
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Join NVBA for beginner birding at the beautiful Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, “an oasis for migratory birds and busy city residents seeking a quiet escape from development.” On this guided walk, you’ll explore the refuge’s diverse waterfowl species with naturalist Andreas Seiter.

Spring Scavenger Hunt at Meadowlark
2026-04-03 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-29 10:00 - 18:00 | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna, VA, 22182, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Welcome spring with a playful scavenger hunt! Embark on a self-guided adventure through the gardens as you search for giant eggs hidden along the paths:

Begin your quest at the Visitor Center, where you’ll receive your egg hunt sheet—your key to unlocking the fun.
Hop along the garden paths. When you discover a giant egg, draw its design on your hunt sheet.
Find them all! Show your completed sheet to our staff and receive an EGG-cellent prize.

After Easter, the fun continues through April 30th. Kids will search the gardens for cheerful signs of spring—flowers, birds, frogs, rabbits, bugs, and more—hidden throughout the landscape.

Meadowood Butterfly and Dragonfly Survey
2026-04-03 08:00 - 11:30 | Meadowood Park, 12810 New Hampshire Ave, Colesville, 20904
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Butterfly and dragonfly surveys are carried out April-October, normally on Friday mornings, at one of four sites around Occoquan Bay, all within the 15-mile diameter circle established for the annual North American Butterfly Association’s Annual Count.
The results of these surveys are made available to the participants and other interested individuals and agencies, including the Fairfax County Park Authority, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, and agencies of the U.S. Interior Department. The results of the butterfly-dragonfly surveys are summarized, along with the results of the general surveys, in an annual report.

Bluebells Photography Workshop
2026-04-03 07:00 - 09:30 | Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA, 20121, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join Roving Naturalist and wildlife photographer Matt Felperin at Bull Run Regional Park to experience and capture the magic of the Virginia Bluebells! At this nature photography workshop, learn how to take stunning photos of this mystical landscape as well as close ups of the fleeting flowers themselves. Digital cameras and appropriate lenses encouraged, but even your smart phones can deliver excellent results!
All skill levels and all types of equipment are welcome. Ages 12 +.

Naturalist Tools for Community Science
2026-04-02 18:30 - 20:30 | DC
(MD) (Nature Forward) Join Naturalist and Capital Nature co-founder Ana Ka’ahanui for this 5-week online course to gain practical fluency with digital apps (like iNaturalist, eBird, Merlin Bird ID, and GLOBE Observer) and websites used by naturalists, researchers, and conservationists worldwide. Along the way, you’ll learn how everyday observations contribute to scientific knowledge and conservation efforts. This course is part of Nature Forward’s Natural History Field Studies program. Starts, Thursday, April 2 and runs for 5 weeks through April 30.

Learn iNaturalist
2026-04-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St Germain Dr., Centreville, 20121, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County) Help document our community’s biodiversity by learning how to use the free app iNaturalist! Join VA Master Naturalist and Capital Nature Co-Founder Ana Ka’ahanui for tips on making iNaturalist observations in preparation for the upcoming global bioblitz, the City Nature Challenge. Weather permitting, we will explore the outdoors using the app to identify flora and fauna around the library.
Adults. No registration required. Limited tickets available at 11:30am.

Cultivating Ecology: A Practical Guide (Virtual)
2026-04-01 19:00 - 20:30 | DC
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Discover practical ways to transform your yard into a thriving, sustainable landscape. Drawing from the presenter’s own garden, this talk explores phased planning, habitat-rich garden bed design, and how to choose native plants suited to your conditions. Learn actionable strategies that increase ecological value, support wildlife, and help you move confidently toward eco-friendly gardening practices.
Drew Asbury, Brookside Gardens Horticulturist

Guided Cherry Blossom Walk
2026-04-01 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-30 18:00 - 19:30 | Stanton Park, 6th Street NE and 226 4th St NE, Washington, DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Tree Stories) Join educational arborist Sam Nelson for a guided walk in D.C’s Capitol Hill featuring history, science, and beautiful groves of blossoms Together, we’ll discuss tree science, history, and slow down to stroll and reflect under magical blossoms in spring (and take some photos). This walk will not include the beautiful but crowded Tidal Basin. Instead, we’ll begin in Stanton Park, walk through the Senate Parks, and then finish at the U.S. Capitol’s historic cherry groves around sunset.

Invasive Vine Removal at Catholic U
2026-04-01 15:30 - 17:30 | Catholic Univeristy, 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC, 20064, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join Meredith from CCAN to remove Invasive Vines at Catholic University. We will spend the first 30 minutes doing a brief training on invasive vines and best practices for removal, and spend about 2 hours removing vines from the trees. We will focus on non-native invasive vines including porcelainberry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata) and English ivy (Hedera helix).

The Butterfly Experience
2026-04-01 09:00 - 15:00 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) A world of wonder takes flight as Montgomery Parks’ popular Butterfly Experience returns to Brookside Gardens. Visitors will be surrounded by hundreds of brilliant butterflies from the Americas, Africa, and Asia as they flutter among vibrant, lush tropical blooms. This intimate experience offers rare, up-close encounters while trained staff and volunteers highlight the stages of metamorphosis, the important role butterflies play in healthy ecosystems, and how to ensure these beautiful insects thrive in our own gardens.
Butterfly Experience runs through September 7th.

Tai Chi at Brookside
2026-04-01 09:00 - 10:30 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Tai Chi is an ancient, Chinese form of exercise perfect for adults seeking stress reduction while strengthening muscles, improving balance and increasing ﬂexibility. The Forms are repetitive patterns that emphasize slow, ﬂowing motions and controlled movements. Classes will help beginners to learn the Forms while providing regular practitioners the guidance of an experienced instructor. No walk-ins will be accepted. Ages 18+.
Location: Brookside Gardens Visitor Center (March – April) or Japanese Tea House (May – August)
Instructor: Charles Votaw

Northern Virginia Bird Club Walk
2026-04-01 08:30 - 11:00 | Long Branch Nature Center & Park, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club for informal walks through Glencarlyn Park in search of resident and migratory birds. Experienced and beginning birders welcome. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Adults.

Backyard Bird ID (Virtual)
2026-03-31 19:00 - 20:00 | DC
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Do you want to learn how to identify the birds that flock to your backyard everyday? Or maybe you’re preparing for our annual spring fundraiser, Birdathon. Join this online course to brush up on your bird identification skills with NVBA Vice President, Andreas Seiter! During this program, your instructor will:

Review common backyard bird species you’re likely to see year-round.

Discuss migratory species that might pass through your yard this spring.

Showcase birding tools: from eBird to field guides to binoculars.

Instruct birders on how to use eBird to report birds you observe.

This program is designed for beginner birders but can also serve as a helpful refresher for more experienced birders.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-03-31 08:30 - 10:00 | Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave, NE, Washington DC, 20019, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) We invite you to join National Park Service volunteer and expert birder Molly Hermann for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID.
The walk will be conducted at a leisurely pace, covering approximately one mile. We will gather in front of the visitor center, and the duration of the walk will typically range from 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on our observations. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you!

Exploring Leaf Shapes
2026-03-30 10:00 - 12:00 | US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC, 20001, United States
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Join Lilly Andersen, USBG Family Education Specialist as you observe leaves of different shapes and sizes while considering the question: Why do leaves come in so many different forms? Learn to recognize patterns between the shapes and structures of leaves from a wide variety of plants, and then use your new knowledge to explore the Garden with a new perspective.

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
2026-03-30 08:00 - 10:00 | Huntley Meadows, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA, 22306, United States
(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) The Monday Morning Bird Walk is sponsored by the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park and takes place every Monday at 8 a.m. Following the walk, members of the group gather at the nearby Denny’s for breakfast and to compile the morning’s bird list. All are welcome.

Searching for Lost Birds with NVBA
2026-03-29 14:30 - 16:30 | National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA, 20190, United States
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Join us for our first Alliance Afternoon of 2026. We will gather to mingle with other bird-lovers while enjoying snacks and drinks. The chapter meeting will be followed by a presentation on Searching for Lost Birds. Around the world, just over 100 species of birds are currently considered “lost” meaning that they are not considered extinct but that no one has been able to document them in the past decade or more. What are these lost birds and why can’t anyone find them? Join John C. Mittermeier, the Director of the Search for Lost Birds at American Bird Conservancy, to answer these questions and hear stories about the efforts to rediscover some of these mysterious species.

Invasives Removal at Shepherd Park
2026-03-29 14:00 - 16:00 | Shepherd Park Community Center, 7800 14th Street NW, Washington, 20012, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Come help the Shepherd Park Weed Warriors remove invasives at Shepherd Field (behind Shepherd Elementary School) on Kalmia Rd, NW in ward 4. Tools provided. Please wear sturdy shoes with good tread, and weather appropriate clothes you don’t mind getting dirty or snagged. Bring your own water bottle.

Oxon Run Pinknic & Kite Fly
2026-03-29 12:00 - 15:00 | Oxon Run Park, 1200 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington DC, 20032, United States
(DC) (Friends of Oxon Run) Soar into spring at the Oxon Run Pinknic & Kite Fly on March 29, 2026, at Oxon Run Park in Ward 8! Enjoy a day of kites, culture, exciting activities, and community crafts for all ages. Explore the Ward 8 vendor market, connect with neighbors, and experience the joy of spring in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Stay tuned for even more activities coming soon—don’t miss this unforgettable celebration!

Bloom Break at NBM
2026-03-29 10:00 - 13:00 | National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
(DC) (National Building Museum) Celebrate spring and the city’s cherry blossoms at the National Building Museum with Japanese-inspired creativity. The program features hands-on activities centered on language exploration, paper craft, and illustration, along with a short koto and shamisen performance showcasing traditional Japanese music.

Guided Mindfulness Walk
2026-03-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join integrative therapist Tania Lanning for a guided walk focused on self-care in nature. Among the fragrant blossoms, maple trees, and brightly colored roses of the Formal Gardens, you will be invited to awaken your senses, notice your inner voice, and reflect on how you can bring awareness and compassion to your internal experience. Participants will receive a small blank notebook for journaling. Ages 18 +.

Invasive Plant Removal at Picnic Grove 1
2026-03-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Rock Creek Picnic Grove #1, 2401 Tilden St NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior Leader Danna McCormick for this invasive plant removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Invasive plants are a major threat to our fragile forests, and stopping their spread helps allow native plants to thrive in the understory.

Bird Sit at Fort C.F. Smith Park
2026-03-29 09:00 - 11:00 | Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 24th St N, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Come hang out with us for a relaxed morning bird sit at Fort C.F. Smith Park in Arlington! We’ll spend the morning on cozy picnic blankets watching and listening for birds as they start their day and get up to their morning shenanigans. This bird sit will be led by NVBA bird guide Jeph Simmons (they/them).
